GREENSBORO, N.C. – Josh Pittman (Archdale, N.C./Trinity) scored a game-high 19 points in Guilford College's 65-46 exhibition basketball win over the Italian Junior National Team Tuesday night. The Italian team is comprised of the nation's top 16- and 17-year-old basketball players and on a two-week American tour of North Carolina and Virginia.

Pittman, a sophomore, made seven-of-12 shots from the floor, including four-of-seven three-pointers. He added four rebounds, three assists and two steals in 30 minutes and was the lone Quaker in double-figure scoring.

The Italians erased an early nine-point deficit to tie the score at 24-24 4:31 before halftime, but Guilford closed the half on an 8-0 run. Pittman had 12 points by the break and rookie Connor Belicic (Apex, N.C./Apex) scored all seven of his points in the opening frame.

Strong inside play and aggressive rebounding helped Guilford pull away in the second half. The Quakers' Tobi Akinsola (Cary, N.C./Word of God Christian (Bethany)) scored back-to-back buckets to start the period and an 8-0 burst opened a 19-point Quakers' edge with 11:43 to play. Pittman triggered the run, which included a traditional three-point play by Justin Stafford (Winston-Salem, N.C./Calvary Baptist Day) and back-to-back follow baskets by Brad Monroe (Asheboro, N.C./Eastern Randolph). Guilford outrebounded the Italians, 41-24, and outscored their guests, 17-0, on second-chance points.

Marco Lagana led the Italian team with 10 points. Simone Tomasini added nine points off the bench. The Italians were limited to 30.4 percent shooting in the second half and committed 18 turnovers that led to 23 Guilford points.

Travis Tracy (Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg Day School) added nine points on four-of-six shooting from the floor. Monroe finished with eight and Akinsola added five points and a game-high seven rebounds.

Guilford visits Wake Forest University Friday at 7:00 p.m. in another preseason exhibition contest.